Beacons of Light
What a week it has been. So many reports on situations that feel way beyond what my brain and body can hold. I don’t have any fancy words to offer or even any next steps for what to do now.
I just keep asking the question - What is mine to do? Who are the people in my orbit that I am meant to care for? What are ways my dollars can offer hope? How can I use my particular skills to bring light and flourishing to the world around me?
Today, what I can offer is the space to read Scripture together slowly. I invite you to read through this passage three times.
The first time, read the words to get familiar with them.
The second time, notice what words or phrases the Holy Spirit is highlighting for you today. If you are wondering what this looks like, it varies from person to person, but it might look like certain words jumping off the page at you. Or it might look like a phrase you can’t get out of your mind. Or it might look like a shimmering thread that you have to follow. It could also look like a particular theme making itself known to you, or even a feeling within as you read the words. The Holy Spirit meets us in lots of different ways, so make space for curiosity.
The third time, ask God how these words might transform you in the days to come.
James 1:19-27 (TLV)
Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger - for human anger doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.
So put away all moral filth and excess of evil and receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror - for once he looks at himself and goes away, he immediately forgets what sort of person he was.
But the one who looks intently into the perfect Torah, the Torah that gives freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts - he shall be blessed in what he does.
If anyone thinks he is religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is futile. Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
As I read these verses, I feel curious about the ways I can be involved in helping orphans and widows in my community. I look forward to exploring this in the days ahead. What words stood out to you? Do you feel an invitation from those words?
May you go into the world this week and be a beacon of light in the darkness. May the love of Jesus shine through you at home, at work, in your community, and in all the spaces where you live and lead.
~ Melissa